Search the forum,

Discuss Tap washer to sink: above or below sink? in the Plumbing Forum | Plumbing Advice area at PlumbersForums.net

Messages
5
I have purchased two Bristan Renaissance basin taps containing one black rubber washer each. The Bristan instructions say to put the rubber washer underneath the sink followed by the brass nut. I have always put the rubber washer underneath the tap and on top of the basin. Any suggestions of the best way to fasten the taps to the basin? Should I use the washer under the tap and use a little silicone just under the tap above the sink to stop surface water running under the tap and down the tail threads, or just use the washer as instructed and nothing else?
 
On top else how does it seal
 
Iā€™m gonna ask a silly question....does the tap not have a built in oring for the top sink surface?

Youā€™re gonna need a washer/tophat underneath to stop the nut coming loose.

If you fit the supplied/designed for below sink washer above sink, itā€™s gonna look crap. It wonā€™t sit center while you tighten the tap.

If no oring, treat the tap tail like a sink waste, big old snake of putty around it, washer underneath and tighten it up!
 
Thank you for your quick reply. I thought the same way, i.e. on top.



However, as Bristan is a well known and respected manufacturer of taps, one would think that they would have done some research on the subject and put out instructions that were fitting for a quality manufacturer. This has somewhat created some doubt in my mind as to weather or not each product was designed to be fitted in a way it was designed to be.



This is the reason for my post, to find out from experienced people. Thank very much again for your reply.
Iā€™m gonna ask a silly question....does the tap not have a built in oring for the top sink surface?

Youā€™re gonna need a washer/tophat underneath to stop the nut coming loose.

If you fit the supplied/designed for below sink washer above sink, itā€™s gonna look crap. It wonā€™t sit center while you tighten the tap.

If no oring, treat the tap tail like a sink waste, big old snake of putty around it, washer underneath and tighten it up!

Hi Timmy, Thank you very much for your reply. The tap does not have an O-ring. The tap mating surface that fits on top of the sink is polished chrome. On a similar thread, I read one person's opinion that a rubber washer underneath a tap was there to stop the tap turning, however, on tightening the brass backnut the rubber washer would be dragged out of shape when the nut was tightened. I thought about putting the rubber washer underneath the sink and a white nylon washer next, followed by the back nut to avoid this.





It could possibly look crap placing the washer at the top, especially if it compresses and part of it comes out to the side. I want to avoid this after purchasing quality taps. I thought about using a nylon washer here instead of rubber one.





As I have a ceramic sink, I think the centralising washer/top hat washer would be suitable for this type of sink, as you suggested to stop the nut coming loose.


I have some plumbers mate in my plumbing box, but I am a bit unsure of using it in this situation due to it tending to dry out. I also understand that it can get under the seals and have an adverse effect on them.

Thank you very much for the advice it is very much appreciated. I will weigh up all the advice given at the end of this thread.





Take care, JohnnyB.
 
Put some clear silicone around the bottom of the bath first so that the tap is sealed to the bath if you decide to not use the rubber washer ontop
 
Put some clear silicone around the bottom of the bath first so that the tap is sealed to the bath if you decide to not use the rubber washer ontop

Hi Shaun, Thank you again for your advice. I haven't abandoned putting the rubber washer on top, as I have successfully done this before. These Bristan taps confused me with having a washer located at the bottom of the sink and none at the top. I am, however, willing to learn new ways from more experienced people, such as yourself. Silicone on top of the sink seems a good idea, with the tap resting on it would seal the gap between tap and sink. It would, I think, also prevent the tap from turning/twisting to one side.

I wonder if anyone has experience of this, and would it cause problems in the future for getting the tap off again, e.g. would the tap be stuck solidly to the sink?, would the mating surfaces te difficult to clean for re-installation of the taps or installing new taps? or would there be anything else I should consider by using this method.

The taps will be fixed to a ceramic bathroom washbasin.

Thank you again Shaun for you kind input/help. Take care, JohnnB
 
Last edited:
Once the nut is loose should just take a swivel / turn 90 to break the seal / silicone

As for cleaning either a razor blade or these days they sell mastic / silicone eater
 
Once the nut is loose should just take a swivel / turn 90 to break the seal / silicone

As for cleaning either a razor blade or these days they sell mastic / silicone eater
Razor blade, havenā€™t got time to wait for eater šŸ˜
 

Reply to Tap washer to sink: above or below sink? in the Plumbing Forum | Plumbing Advice area at PlumbersForums.net

Creating content since 2001. Untold Media.

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock